Window tinting
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 15
Window tinting
So I just got the car tinted and I'm not thrilled with the product. Specifically on the rear window, there are visible cutouts around the circles of the latch and struts. Uneven cuts. I suppose it's not hideous but I'm a bit of a perfectionist and expect a clean job when I pay for a service. My question to those who tint, is your entire rear window blacked out with no blemishes around the latch and struts? Or it's it commonplace to see some imperfections? And I know a picture would help but I'm too lazy to walk to the garage and I figure a description suffices here. Thanks for any input.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 125
From: Birmingham AL
Ok, I have specific experience with this on my previous’89 coupe. Beautiful tint job but messed up around the hatch struts. Those buttons actually twist as the hatch is raised and lowered. This ruined my tint within a half inch around those buttons. I made a template from tin that had a hole slightly larger than the size of the button mount inside with the outer edge offset enough to over the damaged areas. Say half and inch. The shape was squared off from the outer quadrants down to make a half circle that went straight down to bottom edge of glass in the painted black area. Hope this makes sense. I then used this metal template on both sides to cut and remove damaged tint. I then used this template to cut black vinyl pieces which fit perfectly where I removed the tint. Looked factory.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 260
Likes: 49
From: Florence ALABAMA
Ok, I have specific experience with this on my previous’89 coupe. Beautiful tint job but messed up around the hatch struts. Those buttons actually twist as the hatch is raised and lowered. This ruined my tint within a half inch around those buttons. I made a template from tin that had a hole slightly larger than the size of the button mount inside with the outer edge offset enough to over the damaged areas. Say half and inch. The shape was squared off from the outer quadrants down to make a half circle that went straight down to bottom edge of glass in the painted black area. Hope this makes sense. I then used this metal template on both sides to cut and remove damaged tint. I then used this template to cut black vinyl pieces which fit perfectly where I removed the tint. Looked factory.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
What I've seen people do is put a 1/8 inch bead of that black window paint. (The kind on windshields and such) around the base of the mount and then tint the rest. The tint rests on the paint which won't come off and visually looks fine. Its basically like a trim ring.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 15
Ok maybe this is a tricky job and imperfections should be expected. I see that there is an opaque marker that can be used for touch up. I might give this a try since it's only for small details. I really don't feel like spending another $150 or whatnot just for a redo.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,738
Likes: 217
From: Arizona AZ
I am searching for a window tint place in my small town. One place said sure we will do it. $350. Two sides and the back hatch. I don't think they want to the job. I believe they were charging me $200 just for the back hatch.
Too bad we can't find precut tint for the hatch, I'd try it myself. I can do as badly as the next guy.
I even called the local car dealership and asked them to do the tint and was told they don't do outside jobs.
Too bad we can't find precut tint for the hatch, I'd try it myself. I can do as badly as the next guy.
I even called the local car dealership and asked them to do the tint and was told they don't do outside jobs.
Last edited by azmusclecar; Aug 20, 2020 at 03:07 PM. Reason: better explain my numbers
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Those are kinda hard to do at least for an amateur. I had cutouts around the hatch thing you dont notice it after awhile.
Long as it doesnt look bad or wrinkle up guess Im ok with it.
Long as it doesnt look bad or wrinkle up guess Im ok with it.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 15
I am searching for a window tint place in my small town. One place said sure we will do it. $350. Two sides and the back hatch. I don't think they want to the job.
Once they figured in the hatch, the job went up $200. And for that I WOULD expect it to be perfect.
Too bad we can't find precut tint for the hatch, I'd try it myself. I can do as badly as the next guy.
Once they figured in the hatch, the job went up $200. And for that I WOULD expect it to be perfect.
Too bad we can't find precut tint for the hatch, I'd try it myself. I can do as badly as the next guy.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Tint prices are all over the place I found. Depends on what you look like lol
I was told they didnt want to remove the dark tint on the hatch as they couldnt guarantee it wouldnt screw up the defroster lines. PO had a good job done but way too dark for me.
I was told they didnt want to remove the dark tint on the hatch as they couldnt guarantee it wouldnt screw up the defroster lines. PO had a good job done but way too dark for me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 566
From: Conroe Texas
i have been going to my tint guy since the early 90's and everytime i bring him a c4 he says that the c4 hatch is the hardest glass to tint. just had a 91 z tinted a few months ago and it looks mah-valous, just like the rest of them.